
iWamilton-sfc 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



MARTHA 



Two Hundred and Fifty Copies Printed. 
Type Distributed. 



Martha * byHut- 

ton C. Hamilton <& <& 



* 




NEW YORK AND LONDON *$• G. 
P. PUTNAM'S SONS ^ *§£ *fe 



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Copyright, 1894 

BY 

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 



Printed and Bound' by 

Ube Iftnickerbocfeer press, mew Worft 
G. P. Putnam's Sons 



CHARACTERS. 

Richard Mardyke. 

Tom Madden. 

Count Refstein. 

Romverton. 

Pepe. 

Geraldine. 

Martha. 

Mrs. Romverton. 

Mrs. Schreiner. 

Nita. 

Doctor, Detective, Soldiers, Guards, Etc. 



MARTHA 



I. 

Sitting-room, Richard Mar dykes house, 
Spanish Pyrenees, Stage divided, show- 
ing in- and out-side of house. Two 
windows, back, large; one window, 
side (in partition dividing room from 
garden), small. Door by latter, leading 
outside. House stands on cliff overlooking 
valley {back), and the Mountain of the 
Maladetta in the distance. A porch and 
stair (outside) lead up to Richard Mar- 
dyke s library. . . . Fire burning. Cur- 
tain rises, showing Richard Mardyke by 
small table at window, reading. 

Richard Mardyke 

Putting down book 

Three weeks, and nothing from Durfee 

yet ! . . . Strange he should be so long ! . . . 

(Lights a match and his pipe .) ... I sup- 



pose he 's off somewhere. Editors are incor- 
rigible. . . . I '11 write before the next man- 
uscript goes. . . . How clear the air is ! . . . 
I can see the light on the stream down the 
valley. . . . But there 's a feeling I don't 
like in the air. . . . Just as well perhaps 
I did n't go across country to-night. 
. . . One grows weather-wise. . . . After 
three years. . . . Three years ! (Rising?) 
I begin to feel like a part of the landscape. 
... I wonder if the old mountain would 
miss me. . . . Madden says I 'm a fool to 
stay here. . . . May be I am. . . . But I 
stay. {Goes to window, back?) . . . Curi- 
ous cloud ! . . . Does he think her death 
will drive her face away from the old 
places ? . . . Madden 's an ass ! . . . 
{Pulls at pipe?) . . . Damn the pipe ! 
. . . (Re-lights it.) Ah ! here comes 
postman Pepe crawling up the hill. Poor 
old devil ! I suppose if it were not for 



the aguadiente I corrupt him with he 'd 
curse me with the help of every saint in 
Spain. . . . Belief lives on hard fare here. 
— But it lives. . . . Murky weather ! . . . 
Sticky ! . . . {Goes to door and opens it. 
Enter Pepe.) Well, Pepe, muddy tramp- 
ing, eh ? 

Pepe 

Ay, Senor ; {shifting bag around} and 
it '11 be worse to-night. 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes ; I am afraid so. How are you in 

the valley ? 

Pepe 

Bad, Seiior, bad ! There '11 be wind. 
{Hands letters?) Pardo's place went 
over last year. 



6 I. 

Richard Mardyke 

I remember. {Glancing over them.) 
Send your wife and children up here if 
there is trouble. 

Pepe 

Thank you, Senor. God bless you ! 
Did the Senor see the light along the 
edge of the snow ? It looks bad — very 
bad. I know when it is not far off. — I 
know. 

Richard Mardyke 

Go back, Pepe, and get something 
warm from Nita. She 's waiting for you. 

Pepe 

Thank you, Senor. It 's a hard walk 
for me now. Once it was nothing. 
The mountain looks but a league away ! 
(He goes, passing window, back?) 



Richard Mardyke 

The fools make no provisions until the 
last moment. I '11 go down myself and 
have a look later. {Reads letters?) 
Trover, Vance, Dudley {returns to study- 
table by window, back, and sits down. 
Reads), Deggs & Whiffin ! {Opening?) 
The afflictions of lawyers seem to be their 
names. . . . We beg to inform . . . ad- 
justment ? . . . the late Tobias Hurd ? 
A good deal of fuss because old uncle 
Hurd did n't divide his two millions in 
the middle, but would have ten thou- 
sand a year more on my side than on 
Geraldine's. . . . Uncles {takes another 
letter) are such — . . . {Stops.) I sup- 
pose Geraldine is a woman now. . . . 
Just seventeen when I left. Poor little 
sister . . . and mother. {Takes out pho- 
tographs from desk. Looks at them, 



8 I. 

kisses them, puts his head down on his 
arms for a moment. Recovering himself 
and tearing open other letters.) Dear 
Sir : You are herewith informed that your 
annual dues {throws it down.) . . . 
Clubs ! {Takes another?) Ah ! a line 
from Durfee at last ! {Reads.) Your 
last bundle reached me on my return from 
Edinburgh. Have just read it myself. 
Keep up the vein, old man. You are 
sweeping all before you. Will follow 
your plan, which is best, as to publication 
and send you proofs. Am much over- 
worked since return here. When do 
you come out of your shell ? Much as I 
want to see you, don't come if it is to 
spoil your present run of ideas. You see 
I have an eye to the prophets — you remem- 
ber my old Scotch yarn. Yours, Durfee. 
{Looking up.) So he thinks it 's a suc- 
cess ! . . . Well, so do I. . . . What it 



i. 9 

cost me ! I owe it all to her. . . . 
Driving me on. . . . {Opens another.) 
Ah, Madden ! {Reads.) You are 
surprised to hear from me here — 
Where? {Turns letter over?) Bayonne ! — 
as you know how I loathe this sort of 
place. All the South of France has its 
terrors. It is for another, as you may 
suppose, I am come. Two nights ago 
Ref stein joined me — . . . {Looking up.) 
Refstein ! — ... to my utter amazement, 
in St. yean de Ltcx, and insists on my 
taking him to you, as he speaks no Span- 
ish — . . . Here ! He here !— ... I do 
so in fear and trembling, not knowing 
whether you are at work or not ; you may 
expect us at any moment. I have just 
seen Durfee. He is radiant. Says you 
come out soon with a new piece. Do I 
bring an unwelcome visitor ? He has 
something important to talk about. I 



IO I. 

suspect, but say nothing. {Looks up.) Im- 
portant ! ( Walks to window.) I should 
think Madden would have better sense 
than to bring him here. {Enter Nita.) 
What is it, Nita ? (Annoyed.) 

Nita 

I came to close the windows, Sefior. 
The wind is so strong, and Pepe says 

Richard Mardyke 

Pepe 's croaking again ! Never mind 
the windows now. ( Wind moans outside 
and blows papers violently. Nita hesi- 
tates?) Oh, well, close them. (Nita 
does so. Sound of rumbling wheels out- 
side. Richard Mardyke takes out his 
watch and looks at it.) What 's that ! 
Nita ? (Aside.) It 's too late for the 
coach now ! 



I. II 

NlTA 

It must be the Pons coach, Senor. 
Pepe says it 's very late to-day. There 
was an accident he thought. It ought to 
have been here long ago. 

Richard Mardyke 

I should think so ! An accident ! 
{Looking at watch) four hours at least ! 
I wonder when I ought to expect 
them. {Glances at letter) . . . Just 
like Madden ! expects me to divine 
his arrival by intuition. {Rattle of 
wheels near and sound of coach stop- 
ping. Nita goes to window, back, and 
looks out?) 

Nita 

Yes, Senor ; the Pons coach. I can 
see the yellow on the wheels though 



12 I. 

they 're mostly hid with the mud. The 
Tartana from Barbastro came in an hour 
ago . . . And there 's Jose and Mariano 
and the others . . . And Jose's got a 
skin of wine. There ! He is holding 
it up now and they are all laughing, 
and oh ! — here are two gentlemen com- 
ing with Pepe — he 's carrying their 
things — and one of them is laughing and 
pointing up here. 

Richard Mardyke 

What 's that ? {Goes to window?) By 
George it 's so ! . . . and, yes . . . 
it is ... of course it is. It's Madden, 
and (frowning') Ref stein. {Goes to 
door and opens it. After a pause they 
appear. Shaking hands with Madden.) 
I 'm so glad to see you again, old man. 
Been well ? ( Titrns more formally to 
Refstein and shakes hands?) I hardly 



I. 13 

expected you to follow your letter 
so closely. Why did n't you bring it 
yourselves ? 

Refstein 

Did you just get it ? 

Richard Mardyke 

It came in on the Southern coach an 
hour ago. 

Madden 
Laughing 

Quite enough. Keeps the ball of sur- 
prise rolling, you know. But I say, my 
dear fellow, if we had n't been delayed 
four hours you 'd have had it two hours 
after we arrived. 

Refstein 
Three. 



i 4 I 

Madden 

Three is it ? {Looking at Richard 
Mardyke musingly^) — Oh, damn the 
time. How are you ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Did you ever know me ill ? But come 
in. When did you leave ? 

Madden 

Leave where, Paris, America, London, 
St. Petersburg ? Just look at that fire, 
Refstein ! 

Richard Mardyke 
New York, of course. 

Madden 

Have n't you heard from Geraldine ? 

Came over with her and your mother 

same boat, Majestic. Left them in Paris 



I. 15 

trying on clothes. Shut up, Refstein 

(as he starts to speak.) 

Richard Mardyke 

In Paris ! Geraldine in Paris ! And 
my mother ! 

Refstein 
Did n't you know it ? 

Madden 

Good Lord, have you so hermitized 
yourself out of countenance with your 
own flesh and blood ! Why, my dear 
fellow, it 's perfectly lawless ! . . . But 
I say {throwing off his coat) I 'm cold 
and damp {leans over fire.) Now you 
know (making significant gestures to 
Richard Mardyke.) 



16 I. 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes, of course. (Aside.) . . . All of 
them in Paris ! Strange ! (Goes to closet 
and gets out bottle of brandy and glasses?) 
Here, Nita, the water. (To Madden.) 
When did they come ? 

Nita 
Who is just carrying out satchel with Pepe 

Yes, sir. (Disappears?) 

Madden 
Don't forget the sugar, old man. 

Richard Mardyke 
Handing it mechanically 

I 've had no word. 

Madden 

Naturally enough, as you forbade any 
letters whatever. Why, my dear fellow, 



I. 17 

you 've been shut in by the strictest 
quarantine in Europe. 

Richard Mardyke 

But why are they here ? What brings 
them across at this time ? Is anything 
wrong ? (Anxiously^) Is my mother ? 

Madden 

All well — nothing to disturb you. 

Refstein 

But you had my letter ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Your letter ? (Surprised?) What 
letter ? — no. 

Refstein 

My letter sent from New York telling 
you all about my plans. 



18 I. 

Richard Mardyke 
Your plans — what plans ? 

Refstein 
Why my 

Madden 

Refstein, be quiet. {Aside?) The devil ! 
. . . Where 's that water ? Ah ! (Nita 
brings it. — He holds brandy over Refstein' s 
glass?) Here, Refstein, say when. 

Refstein 
There. There ! 

Madden 
To Richard Mardyke, as Nita retires 

Is that the best you can do in this land 
of eyes and ankles ? I swear ! {Aside?) 
We Ve got to go all over it again ! {In a 



I. 19 

low voice aside to Refstein.) We 're in for 
it, Refstein. 

Refstein 
Also in low voice 

So it seems. 

Madden 
To Richard Mardyke, pointing after Nita 

I say. . . no others ? 

Richard Mardyke 
Laughing 

No. You don't know her. 

Madden 
Thank God ! Where 's the sugar ? 

Refstein 
Here. {Pushes it.) 



20 I. 

Richard Mardyke 

Will you tell me the news ? 
(Madden pours out large glass of brandy ; 
carefully measures two spoonfuls of water 
into it.') 

Nothing like water for flavor. . . . 
News ! My dear fellow, there is n't any. 

Richard Mardyke 

Have you brought me nothing? . . . 
no letters ? {Aside?) What are they 
concealing ? 

Madden 

Everybody 's well. How the devil do 
you get things here in winter ? 

Richard Mardyke 

We don't. We follow the example of 
the laborious ant and lay in a plentiful 
supply in the good season. I 'm comfort- 



I. 21 

able enough here. It 's the warmest house 
in Spain, I believe. No Sevillian marble 
floors for me. But Geraldine 

Madden 

Now see here, I 'm tired, and cold, and 
want rest. Let 's drop home memories 
for a moment. 

Richard Mardyke 

I 'm afraid I 've dropped them too much 
already. 

Madden 

Very likely, but our adventures first. 
Have you any idea what kept us so long ? 

Refstein 
Pshaw ! A broken wheel ! 



22 I. 

Madden 

Only ! May the good Lord deliver me 
from the phlegmatic ! Here we ve been 
sitting in the hood of that lumbering old 
stage — a perfect ark on wheels — listening 
to swearing we could n't enjoy, by the 
driver and his man — outrider — or what- 
ever you call him. 

Richard Mardyke 
The Zagal, I suppose. 

Madden 

Yes, if a bad name will hang him here. 
All we saw of his usefulness was his ability 
to get drunk on red wine out of a greasy 
skin which he seemed to consider a feat. 
Red wine ! The cold wind blew down 
our backs and Refstein drank all the 
brandy. But it seems good to see you 
again. You never change. 



I. 23 

Richard Mardyke 

This air. The roads are still bad. I 
crossed a week ago myself. 

Madden 

Infernal. I would have gone south by 
Hendaye and come up from Zaragoza had 
I known. 

Richard Mardyke 

Not much longer, either — except fleas. 

Madden 

Don't speak of it. We were eaten alive ! 
{Pointing through window?) There, Ref- 
stein, that 's the view of the Maladetta I 
told you of — but what a fire ! Are you 
trying to denude the land of timber ? 

Refstein 
To Richard Mardyke 
I suppose you Ve climbed it ? 



24 I. 

Richard Mardyke 

Naturally. Over the glacier. You two 
can try it if you like. 

Madden 

I ! I climb snow mountains and glaciers ! 
Gad ! It makes me feel colder than that 
infernal coach. {Drinks?) 

Richard Mardyke 

Well it 's worth the climb — one of the 
finest sights I know. You feel like a baby 
up there. Every sound is an inspiration. 
I remember once on Oroel, near Jaca, I 
had started in the early morning 

Madden 

Yes, I know, five a.m. on a mule — with a 
boy and a stick for jabbing and shrieking 
anda, anda-a-a-a ! I was in bed weeks. 



I. 25 

Richard Mardyke 

Did you good ! I worked my way up 
over the spurs of the great stone giant 
stretched out with his face down the val- 
ley of the Aragon. You know how he 
lies. 

Madden 
Looking toward the Basques. 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes. About noon I came out on the 
top. Jaca lay far below, a mere gray disc 
on the face of the valley. The silver thread 
of the river glistened out of sight between 
the bare foot-hills. And behind was the 
broken mass of the Aragonese range with 
the highway winding through it like a white 
snake, here and there marked by a huge 
cart and ten dots one after another for 
mules. I was taking it all in with a sort of 



26 I. 

deep breath, running my eyes along the 
opposite Pyrenees wall by Canfranc to- 
wards Panticosawhen of a sudden I heard a 
rush in the air behind me. I looked up, and 
a magnificent mountain eagle swept past. 
He was not fifty feet away. I could see 
his wing feathers flutter and hear the 
whistle of the wind over him. For a mo- 
ment, as he rose out of the shadow of the 
mountain, and the force of the gale struck 
him, he seemed to pause on the very edge 
of the cliff as though hesitating. Then, 
suddenly half turning his head toward me, 
he slanted his great body and shot out 
into the abyss. It brought the tears to 
my eyes. 

Madden 
After a pause 

Yes, I suppose so, but I prefer my eagles 
stuffed. Splendid for decoration. I tell you 



I. 27 

what it is, my dear fellow, modern life and 
mountain eagles are out of harmony — 
decidedly. It 's my opinion that you 
should be back in civilization for a time. 
You need it. Why, everybody 's inquiring 
about you. I live in a sort of reflected 
glory because I happen to know you. 
The old frumps with marriageable daugh- 
ters were on your trail just before I left. 

Richard Mardyke 

So much in demand as that ! (Laugh- 
ing. It has grown dark and Nita enters 
with lights. Sound of thunder outside?) 

Madden 
Is that thunder ? {They listen?) 

Richard Mardyke 
I did n't hear it. 



28 I. 

Refstein 
Nor I. 

Madden 

You forget you have just inherited your 
uncle's fortune. Who could help loving a 
man with four thousand a year. 

Richard Mardyke 

And so you marry me off ? Your old 
trick. 

Madden 

Why not ? The creed of Mater- 
familias is written between the columns 
of debit and credit. 

Richard Mardyke 

And my personal attraction ? {Stand- 
ing up and looking at himself.} 



I. 29 

Madden 

Absolutely nothing. Why, you 're not 
even bald. (Turns to Refstein, who 
has lighted a cigar and sits watching the 
Maladetta.) Eh, Refstein ? Come, man, 
(finishes his glass) , don't you think Mar- 
dyke should marry ? 

Refstein 

It would certainly be in harmony with 
things at present. (He does not turn 
round.) 

Richard Mardyke 

Puzzled 

At present ! How in harmony with 
things at present ? 

Madden 

Ah, that 's Refstein. He must talk. 
Here I 've scarcely finished that brandy 



3° I. 

and he 's getting so impatient to talk 
about himself he can hardly sit still. 
What 's the matter with the mails here, 
anyway ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Come, drop nonsense, and tell me about 
your letter and give me news. What is 
my mother here for ? 

Refstein 

Rising and tossing his cigar away 

Yes, Mardyke, I am impatient. Impa- 
tient to talk over what I came for. You 
know me. I hate this waiting and delib- 
erating. I know what I have to say. 

Richard Mardyke 

Well ? {Looking from one to the 
other.) 



I- 31 

Refstein 

Taking a letter from his pocket and hand- 
ing it to Richard Mar dyke 

Your mother gave me this for you. 
Read it. 

Richard Mardyke 

Taking the letter. Opens and reads to himself. 
A t first smiles 

Dear old mother. {Reads on. Starts?) 
Geraldine ! Marry ! {Reads on. Again 
starts. Lets his hand fall at his side. — 
Aside?) To him ! {Staitds for some 
time with his head bent down, the others 
watching anxiously. After some time Ref- 
stein speaks?) 

Refstein 

Richard — I 

Richard Mardyke 
Interrupting without moving 
You love — Geraldine ? 



32 I. 

Refstein 
Yes. 

Richard Mardyke 
And she loves you ? 

Refstein 
I believe — she 

Madden 
Naturally — naturally 

Richard Mardyke 
Aside 

Only a year ! (A pause.) Is this 
what you came to discuss ? 

Refstein 
Yes — your mother 

Richard Mardyke 

Only a year ! It is only a year since 
Martha 



I. 33 

Refstein 
I did not think 

Richard Mardyke 
You did not think I would speak of it ? 

Refstein 
You knew — we were not happy. 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes — I did know — (Suddenly?) I know 
you — (Madden rises and suddenly seizes 
his arm.) 

Refstein 

Richard, don't let us quarrel. ... I 
love your sister. 

Madden 
Hopelessly 
What more can a man do ? (Drinks.) 



34 I. 

Richard Mardyke 
Aside 
God knows what a life she led ! 

Refstein 
Martha and I were 



Richard Mardyke 
You lived together five years ! 

Refstein 
Yes. 

Richard Mardyke 

And then one of you took the affair 
into her own hands and you found her 

Madden 
Rising 

Stop ! I will not have this. Martha is 
dead. Let her rest. I can hardly respect 
this in you, Mardyke. (A pause?) 



I. 35 

Richard Mardyke 

You are right, Madden. But why do 
you come here ? My consent is hardly 
wanted. It is absurd. (Thunder.) 

Refstein 

You will give it, Richard ? (He holds 
out his hand?) 

Richard Mardyke 
After a pause taking it 

There was no use in the trip here. Let 
the past lie. (A sudden flash of lightning. 
Thunder?) 

Madden 

A good night for the discussion of love 
and marriage ! Look at the mountain. 
(Points?) It is white with light. 

Refstein 
The flashes are incessant on the snow ! 
(A loud peal. They go to the window. 



36 i. 

Richard Mardyke stands thoughtfully by 
the table.} 

Madden 
What a night ! Look at those white 
lines on the mountains. I see them flash. 

Richard Mardyke 

Aside 

White lines ! Where ? {He goes to- 
ward the window.} 

Refstein 
The mountain is alive ! There are sil- 
ver threads shooting out from under the 
snow. 

Richard Mardyke 

Silver threads ! Where? {They point.) 
That must be water ! (Madden points. 
Richard Mardyke hurriedly gets a night- 
glass and adj lists it.) You 're right — 
Madden, you 're right. There will be 



I. 37 

trouble. The valley may be flooded — 
there are hundreds of people. 

Refstein 
Can we do nothing? 

Richard Mardyke 
Follow my finger. There ! Do you 
see ? That is the village. The water 
comes down from the height above. If 
it turns they may be swept away. These 
people will stand on the edge of destruc- 
tion until it fairly runs over them. 

Madden 
There is nothing can be done ? 

Richard Mardyke 
I don't know. (The storm increases 
steadily.} 

Madden 

Look ! Look ! Is that water there 
too ? Why, the whole valley is full of it. 



38 I. 

Richard Mardyke 
Resting night-glass on window edge 

No, not all, but all along the centre 
there is a black mass running. I can see 
it flash in the lightning. (A flash?) 
There ! I saw it distinctly. — Here — take 
the glass. {Runs to opposite side of room 
and takes hat and coat?) 
Madden 

What are you going to do ? 

Richard Mardyke 
I am going down to get a closer look at 
the edge of the town. I may be able 
{picks up lantern) to do some good 
{strikes a light and lights lantern?) 

[In the meanwhile Pepe and a woman 
hurry across the stage in the storm and take 
refuge tinder the porch. Pepe is breathless 
and covered with mud?\ 



i. 39 

Pepe 
I cannot stay, Sefiora. I must go back. 
I will call the Senor. You can say what 
you want. He will not let any harm 
come. He is good, Senora. (Is about 
to knock •.) 

Martha 
Restraining him 
You say there are strangers — 

Pepe 
Yes, Senora, two. They came up this 
afternoon. They were on the coach 
which was delayed. But I must knock. 
(He goes toward the door, which at this 
moment opens, and Richard Mardyke 
comes out, closing it behind him.) 

Richard Mardyke 

Thank God for a breath of air. (Rttn- 
ning against Pepe.) Hello ! Who 's 



40 I. 

this ? {Raises lantern^) Why, Pepe ! 
What 's the matter — the water ? Has it 
come up ? I saw it in the valley from my 
window here, and am coming down. Do 
you need me ? 

Pepe 

No, no, Senor ! Thank you, and God 
bless you for it. — No, the water has gone 
over below, and we 're safe ; but I must 
go back. ... It may turn. But there 's 
a young woman here to see you. I must 
go, sir. She wants to speak to you. 

Richard Mardyke 
A woman ? Where ? Who is she ? 

Pepe 

I don't know, Senor. She is over under 
the porch. But I must go, Senor — the 



I. 41 

water ! . . . God bless you, Sefior . . . 
God bless you. {Exit.) 

Richard Mardyke 
A woman. {Raises light and throws it 
upon porch, disclosing figure?) Who is 
this ? . . . Can I ? 

Martha 
Gently 
Richard 

Richard Mardyke 
Who is it — what do you want ? 

Martha 
Richard 

Richard Mardyke 

Starts, throws light on the face. Martha drops 
the shawl from her shoulders and stands in 
the light of the lantern. He springs back. 

Good God ! Who is it ? Speak. Who 
is it? 



42 I. 

Martha 

O Richard . . . it is I . . . Richard ! 
Richard — help me for God's sake. — It is I 
— Martha — don't you hear ? Martha 

Richard Mardyke 

Martha ! 

Martha 

Yes — yes — it is I, Martha. Oh, don't 
stand there like that. It was not I — 
it was the other — my maid that was 
drowned. I had given her my clothes — 
they mistook her — it was so long after — 
(Comes near him.) 

Richard Mardyke 
Retreating 

Martha ! Martha ! (Suddenly dropping 
lantern with a crash, and staggering 
against porch) Oh, my God ! 



I. 43 

Refstein 
Inside 

What was that, did you hear a fall of 

glass ? 

Madden 

Looking out 
No. Absurd ! The storm rattling the 
window. Look at that ! {They look 
ottt. A flash of light 7iing?) 

Martha 
Outside. Seizing him by the arm 

It is true ! It is I. Oh, Richard — look 
at me — touch me — see — I am come as I 
promised. Don't you remember ? Oh, 
dear — see {Sinks down at his feet '.) 

Richard Mardyke 
Suddenly seizijtg her. Drags her to the light 
of the window by the door. Holds her for a mo- 
ment hi the light 

Martha ! {Throws his arms franti- 
cally about her.) 



44 !• 

Martha 
I came to you as I promised. 

Richard Mardyke 
As you promised ! What is it all ? I 
am blind — but you are cold. Your 
clothes are wet. I thought — (stops and 
stands thinking) — and he in there ! 

Martha 

I have been concealed ; living secretly 
— hide me — these men in there. Who 
are they ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes — yes — here, come, come — quick. 
{Leads her to the foot of the stairs on the 
porch?) Go up there. It is my study. 
There is everything— fire. Stay, let me 
think. My head is splitting. Lock the 
door on the other side of the room and 
leave this one ajar — quick — I must go 
back. (She starts away but he holds her 



I. 45 

a moment. Releases her?) Go quickly — 
and quietly — wait for me. I will come 
when I can. Quick — no noise — lock the 
door. {Kisses her hand. She goes 
quickly tip the stairs and stops at the top. 
A flash of lightning shows her standing 
there. He looks up at her and stands a mo- 
ment ; then hurriedly goes to the door and 
pushes it open y picking up the lantern as 
he goes. Enters?) Well {shaking himself), 
still watching the storm ? What a night. 
{Stamping?) Just look at that lantern ! 

[Curtain?] 



II. 



47 



II. 

Three hours later. Richard Mardykes 
library. Fire burning. Martha on bear- 
skin divan before it. Moonlight shining 
through window. Library large and 
dark. Two doors : one to main house 
(R.) a7id one to porch and stair (L.J. 

Martha 
Half rising from divan 

How my head throbs ! . . . like a 
great hammer beating on lead . . . 
beat — beat — beat. It will burst. (Rises 
and goes slowly to window. Stands in the 
moonlight?) . . . How white and still 
it is ! The valley is sleeping after the 

49 



5<D II. 

struggle. . . . This crowns the 
memory of the storm . . . were it 
not for that restless scud across the moon 
one might forget it . . . will he never 
come ? . . . When I came along 
that road to-night the lightning was flar- 
ing in my face at every step. It leapt 
down into the pools and ran along the 
half-filled ruts. I can see the old man's 
shape standing out black before me. . . 
How my face burns ! (The clock strikes 
twelve?) More than three hours ! . . . 
What can keep him? (Throws herself 
down on divan again?) . . . Who 
were those men? ... He seemed 
anxious to get back to them. The little 
man who brought me here said they came 
in the afternoon. . . . Oh, I am so 
tired ! (A pause. Then the sound of 
voices in the corridor. She starts tiftj 
listens ', then quickly goes to the house door 



ii. 5i 

( R.) and stands there. The voices come 
nearer. She slips the bolt?) 

Madden 
In drunken voice in corridor 

Never mind the light — old boy — we 're 
all right. 

Martha 
Startled 
I know that voice ! {thinks) — why it 's 
Madden !— Madden !— Madden here ! 

Refstein 

Suddenly striking against the door and sliding 
his hand over it 

What 's this ? — a door ! — see here, 

Madden. 

Martha 

Starts back from the door and retreats to the 
middle of the room trembling 

His voice ! My God ! 



52 II. 

Refstein 
Tries the door 

Well, this seems to be the end of the 
hall. 

Madden 
A sound of falling 

Oh, damn the hall ! I say, call up Rich- 
ard. Let 's have a light in this hole. Hey ! 
Mardyke ! 

Martha 
Terrified. Goes and blows out candles 

Both here ! 

Richard Mardyke 

Coming, coming. Look out for two 
steps down. 

Madden 

Yes — I — I found them. Say, Refstein, 
is that door locked ? 



n. 53 

Refstein 
Yes. 

Madden 

Suppose it 's his seraglio. 

Richard Mardyke 

There {laughing). Hello, Madden ! Get 
up off the floor, old boy, and I '11 show you 
the way. This is B. without S. 

Madden 
I 'm not drunk . . . Refstein 's drunk. 
Richard Mardyke 
Laughing 

Yes, Refstein 's drunk, of course he is. 

Madden 

That 's what I said. Course he 's 
drunk. 



54 «• 

Richard Mardyke 

Come along, Refstein. Leave that 
door. You 're trying to break into my 
library. 

Refstein 

Madden says it 's your seraglio. 

{Laughing?) 

Richard Mardyke 

Oh, does he ? {laughing?) Come along, 
Madden. 

Madden 



Refstein 's drunk . . . Drunk as- 
( Voice dies away?) 



Richard Mardyke 
Laughing 

Come along, Refstein. {Sound dies out?) 



ii. 55 

Martha 

After a pause goes to the door and listens 

He here ! . . . Am I too late then ? 
Why is Madden with him ? . . . They 
never were great friends ! . . . ( Porch 
door ( L.) slowly opens and Richard Mar- 
dyke enters ; he locks it behind him. She 
starts?) Richard ! 

Richard Mardyke 

Martha ! {He comes forward im- 
pulsively?) 

Martha 

She retreats before him and stands with the divan 
between them 



No — stay where you are 

Richard Mardyke 
Martha {He advances?) 



56 ii. 

Martha 

No — no — no — {retreats) — stay there — 
by the divan — (Jie stops) — I must talk to 
you — you must help me — I have come to 
you to help me 

Richard Mardyke 

Dear 

Martha 

Yes — yes — I know — but — (aside) Oh, 
I am choking. {To Richard Mardyke.) 
Oh, Richard I did n't know that — I thought 
you were here alone 

Richard Mardyke 
You were by the door ? 

Martha 
Yes. 



ii. 57 

Richard Mardyke 

And you knew the voices ? Yes, of 
course, they came to-day. 

Martha 
Why — why are they here ? 

Richard Mardyke 
About (Hesitates^) 

Martha 
Geraldine ? 

Richard Mardyke 
How did you know ? 

Martha 

How did I know ? — it is what I came 
for myself. 

Richard Mardyke 
You ! — you know ? 



58 ii. 

Martha 

Am I too late ? — am I too late ? Oh, it 
can't be ! 

Richard Mardyke 

Tell me about yourself. Where do you 
come from ? You have been concealed — 
tell me for God's sake. 

Martha 

I have been sitting there nearly mad — 
waiting for you to come. 

Richard Mardyke 

Oh, Martha — what does it all mean ? 
{He looks for an answer. She remains 
silent^) Why have I been blinded and 
deceived. Why have you made me mad 
with all these months without a word ? — 
I 



ii. 59 

Martha 

Richard — listen to me — I will tell you 
the story of these last three years — shall 
I ? — (He watts expectantly. A pause?) — 
Do you remember the night you went 
away ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Do I remember it ? 

Martha 

You said to me : " I am going. I have 
strength to fight. ..." I looked up 
at you and wondered if it were true. I 
thought : " He will come back." 

Richard Mardyke 

Three years ago ! 

Martha 

Yes. 



60 ii. 

Richard Mardyke 
And he? 

Martha 
Oh, at first there was no great change. 

Richard Mardyke 
And then ? 

Martha 

Later, yes. You know how miserable 
everything was. It grew worse. Every- 
thing grew so hard. . . . But don't 
let us waste words. I come with a pur- 
pose (hurriedly). Listen. You remem- 
ber Anna ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Yes . . . indistinctly. That tall 
woman who used to come to the house ? 



II. 6i 

Martha 

I found a friend in her. She helped 
me. I turned to her. She was all I had. 

Richard Mardyke 

All? 

Martha 

Yes — all (Jie sit at ing and looking towards 
him) — at least all I could call upon. She 
was so good to me ! 

Richard Mardyke 
God bless her ! 

Martha 

I thought of you as fighting and win- 
ning. I said a He will win — he will train 
himself to forget me." That made me 
miserable. 



62 II. 

Richard Mardyke 
Forget you ! Dearest. 

Martha 
It grew fearful at times. He hated me. 
One night I think I was half crazed. I 
walked out of the house and wandered 
about the streets for hours. I had a half 
vague consciousness of taking a train 
somewhere and then Anna's astonished 
face. It all came back to me afterwards. 
I begged her to conceal me, to save me ; 
not to let me go back. Fever came and 
I lay a week in a half conscious state 
dimly aware of Anna's eyes and the pain 
in my head. 

Richard Mardyke 
She kept the secret ? 

Martha 
Yes. But as soon as I was able she be- 
gan insisting on my return. The papers 



II. 63 

were full of my disappearance. She was 
anxious. I felt I was placing too heavy 
a responsibility upon her. One morning 
— it was the morning of the tenth day — I 
saw her taking the paper away quietly. I 
of course insisted, and saw it. You know 
what I found ! 

Richard Mardyke 
The story of your death ? 

Martha 
Yes. 

Richard Mardyke 

But how ? Of course, I read it. But 
how could it happen ? 

Martha 
A mere chance ... a girl who had 
worked for me. I had given her one of 
my dresses. No one knew it. The body 
was mangled. Every one was deceived. 



64 II. 

Richard Mardyke 
And you let them remain so ? 

Martha 
Was it wrong ? Oh, Richard, think — 
think what it meant to go back. Even 
Anna saw — She fought the idea, but she 
knew ! What harm could it do ? I asked, 
He will be only happy. There was no 
one to come between — I felt free — just 
think, Richard ! — free ! no one owned me ! 
I could let the love in me rise up and go 
out to all things and it was not met by 
something that choked it, sent it back to 
grow to poison in my heart. My soul 
walked outside my body and dabbled in 
the pools of sunshine, leaving the poor 
lagging thing floundering blindly behind. 
You know, dear. 

Richard Mardyke 
Yes, I understand. 



ii. 65 

Martha 

I was waiting — a month passed. An- 
other — many. I scarcely knew for what, 
I only knew that I was happy in that in- 
tense, wonderful freedom, when I thought 
of you. I said : " No, I will not come in 
between his life again. He will forget it 
all, perhaps — perhaps." Did you — did 
you ? 

Richard Mardyke 

You think so ? 

Martha 

Tell me — tell me so. 

Richard Mardyke 

I can tell you that I love you. 

Martha 

Then I saw your book, and I felt I had 
been right. I saw more clearly. 



66 II. 

Richard Mardyke 

It was the story of my life. 
Martha 

And of mine — at least the best of mine. 
Oh, when I saw how you had lived over 
and over again all those wretched hours 
and days. When I saw the whole story 
all told in cold, black lines, I knew — I felt 
I knew. I could see you then. It all 
came to me again — the struggle. I must 
go. I talked with Anna. I asked 
her a thousand questions. A little while 
ago your other book was brought. She 
gave it to me. Then I saw the truth. 

Richard Mardyke 
That last was desperate. 

Martha 
Yes. You wrote the past, and in this 
you told me what you hoped for the 
future. . . . Hopeless. 



II. 6j 

Richard Mardyke 

The end of the century is hopeless. 
The critics said it had a depressing tone. 
It was morbid. 

Martha 

Still I hoped you would be happy. I 
waited. There was only one black thing 
— the one chance. She saw it ... it 
has come. 

Richard Mardyke 

What chance ? 

Martha 

Do you not see ? . . . Geraldine. 
Richard, I have come here to plead 
with you ... if you like — what can 
I do ? — only you can help me. 

Richard Mardyke 
I — how ? 



68 II. 

Martha 

Don't you see ? I have had a 
breath of almost happiness. I am weak. 
Oh, I am a coward— anything — but don't 
let me go back. See, I have come into 
your life again, out of the dark. I have 
fought myself so that the love you had 

for me might die, but your sister Can 

you not stop it and save me ? 

Richard Mardyke 

I don't know. {Advances and seizes 
her. She shrinks from him, but he holds 
her in his arms?) Martha — dearest. {She 
suddenly throws her arms about him. 
He kisses her passionately. A long pause 
in which he watches her face?) 

Martha 
Will you — can you ? 



II. 6g 

Richard Mardyke 
Suppose 

Martha 
Well ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Oh, Martha, I love you enough to com- 
mit a crime. 

Martha 
A crime ! Is it a crime then ? 

Richard Mardyke 
Think ! 

Martha 

She looks at him intently for a moment. Her 
expression changes. She seizes his arm tightly 

Richard — do you mean ? 

Richard Mardyke 
We are alone. No one knows. 



?o II. 

Martha 
To let— 

Richard Mardyke 
Why should they f Can we not be 
enough to each other ? Oh, Martha, 
dearest, you are everything. You are 
my life — the best. See, you will be free. 
Always ! Think of it ! 

Martha 
Aside 
Free ! 

Richard Mardyke 
Holds her close to him 

I cannot give you up. No. This is 
the last ! We are here — we are for each 
other. Oh, Martha, you have left the 
world, you are dead. I have been dead 
these years. Think, we are forgotten al- 
ready ! 



ii. yi 

Martha 
Aside 

Dead ! Forgotten ! 

Richard Mardyke 

No one will suffer. The punish- 
ment or the happiness is to us. What 
harm do we do ? 

Martha 

True, what harm ! (Speaking before 
her.) What harm ? 

Richard Mardyke 
I love you 

Martha 
What harm ! . . . His face comes up 
before me. I can keep from him. What 
does it all matter ! (Stcddenly starting.) 
But Richard . . . Geraldine ... we have 
forgotten. 



72 II. 

Richard Mardyke 
I love you 



Martha 

No — no — Geraldine. (He tries to draw 
her head down.) You must hear me — 
you must. Think ! She is your sister. 
You love her. 

Richard Mardyke 

I love you. 

Martha 

No — no. O, God, give me strength. 
{Tears herself from him.) Richard, you 
must listen. There is only one way. Go 
back with them. Go to your sister. Break 
up this marriage. Do it without my 
name, if you can. If not, do not try to 
conceal it. Accept it. Let him free him- 
self of me. I shall then be really free. 



n. 73 

Do this, dear. Oh, dearest — will you ? 
Will you ? 

Richard Mardyke 

After a pause 

You are right. Yes, I will do it. 

\Curtain7[ 



III. 



75 



III. 

Church. Decorations of flowers for wed- 
ding. Door ( R.) to vestry ; door ( L.) 
to street. Mrs. Schreiner near altar 
looking at flowers. Scene, Newport. 

Mrs. Schreiner 

Well, I suppose they won't find fault 
with that ! (She names various flowers of 
the season and comments on them.} It will 
be a success so far at least. Madden said 
he would be here at two to tell me about 
Dick. He's in such a state about him ! 
Poor boy ! Back here after all this time, 
and to be taken down. {Enter Madden.) 
Ah, Tom ! just thinking of you. (Shakes 
hands.) So glad to see you back. How 
is he ? 

77 



78 in. 

Madden 

Better — much better. Had a good 
night and is perfectly quiet. Not a bit of 
fever. All he wants now, Dr. Waldon 
says, is perfect rest. 

Mrs. Schreiner 

And when can we go to see him ? 

Madden 

Not for four or five days yet. Positive 
orders. 

Mrs. Schreiner 

Not even Geraldine ? (Madden shakes 
his head?) Oh, that 's too bad. She will 
have to go then, after all, without a word. 
It will be such a disappointment. You 
know Dr. Waldon almost promised it. 
But I 'm so glad he 's safe at last. I felt 
so unsettled about the whole thing. Really, 



in. 79 

one could n't be sure whether we would 
have a wedding or a funeral. Poor Dick ! 
And not a soul has seen him but you. 

Madden 

Luckily I was there. He was taken just 
as we left the steamer in New York. 
Turned white and went down on the deck 
all in a minute. 

Mrs. Schreiner 

So Margaret wrote me. And they say 
you came on that night by the boat. 
Was n't that a great risk ? 

Madden 

He would have it. High fever ; there 
was no talking to him. By the time we 
reached here he was perfectly delirious. 
As the family did not expect him — and at 
such an hour — you know when the boat 



80 in. 

gets in — I just took him to my own house 
and sent for Waldon. After that, of course, 
there was no moving him. 

Mrs. Schreiner 
Has he been very low ? 

Madden 

About as near the edge as he could go 
and not topple over. Twenty-seven days 
of delirium is no joke. 

Mrs. Schreiner 
Twenty-seven days ! 

Madden 

Waldon almost said there was no chance 
from the first. But his constitution is like 
a stone. You might pound and pound on 
it and only raise the dust. 



in. 8 1 

Mrs. Schreiner 
Changing the position of a wreath 
He always was strong. Do you remem- 
ber when he took the Stone Lodge gate 
with that English hunter of his and gal- 
loped down the shore for hours after 
Geraldine ? 

Madden 
Yes, and was out all night in a cata- 
maran that broke in half, and had to be 
picked up in the morning, looking like a 
drowned rat. But it 's that hermit life in 
Spain that has given him his chance here. 

Mrs. Schreiner 

Well, the cloud is cleared from Ger- 

aldine's wedding at least. Have you seen 

her? 

Madden 

Yes, an hour ago. I go over every day 
to report to her mother about Richard. 
Poor old lady, she 's been nearly frantic. 



82 III. 

Mrs. Schreiner 
I should think so. 

Madden 

Enter Romverton with scarf about throat and 
Mrs. Margaret Romverton 

Hello, Rom. and Margaret ! 

Mrs. Romverton 

The first glimpse of you ! But I forgive 
it. How is he ? 

Madden 

All right. Not a bit of danger. But I 
wrote you all about it. When did you 
get back ? 

Mrs. Romverton 

To-day — this morning — for the wed- 
ding, of course. 



III. 83 

ROMVERTON 

To Madden 

They say you 've turned nurse, old 
man. 

Mrs. Romverton 

De Kale has been telling me wonderful 
tales of your sitting up the nights together. 

Romverton 

Got it straight from the doctor. 

Mrs. Romverton 

And you (to Mrs. Schreiner) arranging 
flowers ! Was there ever a wedding that 
you did n't have a hand in ? But it is 
beautiful, is n't it ? ( They walk away, 
talking.) 

Romverton 

Does Dick know anything of the wed- 
ding? 



84 ill. 

Madden 

Not a word. No excitement, you 
know. 

ROMVERTON 

Yes, of course. Poor boy ! To wake 
up with a new brother-in-law ! I saw Ref- 
stein, by the way, this morning — looked 
as happy as they make 'em. Might be his 
first, to judge by his face. Some men 
never learn anything by experience. 

Madden 

No, I suppose not. {TJwughtftdly glan- 
cing at Mrs. Schreiner.) 

ROMVERTON 

But, I say, old man, what a lucky thing 
you got away from Spain before the chol- 
era broke out, was n't it ? 



III. 85 

Madden 
Indifferently 
Cholera ! Has it broken out there ! 

Romverton 

Yes ; fearful, they say. Hundreds dying. 

Oh, and that reminds me ; you know Fal- 

don ? 

Madden 

Faldon ? Yes, of course. 

Romverton 
Well, he 's out there. Went a few days 
ago. Had a letter from him. Says he 
has a sure germicide for cholera. I sup- 
pose we Ve seen the last of him. Con- 
found my neck. {Strokes it.) 

Mrs. Romverton 
Coming up and overhearing 

Yes, I should think so. There, pat it, 
and cajole it. Went off for a day's fish- 



S6 III 

ing at Montauk ! Only just back ! Two 
weeks ! Look at him ! See that neck ! 
For a wedding ! (Romverton strokes it 
gently?) Hanging for hours over the side 
of the Phantom. 

Romverton 

Aside 
Asleep ! 

Mrs. Romverton 

And not a fish. Not one ! {Turns to 
Mrs. Schreiner.) 

Romverton 

Aside, contemptuously 

Fish ! {Looks at his watch?) But, I 
say, we must go. We sha'n't have time to 
get to the house and back. Come, Mar- 
garet. Do you go with us, Mrs. Schrei- 
ner ? 



III. 87 

Mrs. Schreiner 
Coming up 
Yes. (Looking back?) Is n't it beauti- 
ful ! I 'm satisfied. Are you pressed for 
time, Mr. Romverton ? 

ROMVERTON 

Yes, not a minute. The ushers will be 
upon us before we can escape. Good-bye, 
Tom — for half an hour. 

Mrs. Romverton and Mrs. Schreiner 
In chorus 

Good-bye ! (Exeunt?) 

Madden 
Good-bye. Good-bye. (Leans thought- 
fully against a pew-back. Looks at his 
watch). In a few minutes they will begin 
to come. ... A few minutes . . . 
and Richard ! . . . (Starts up.) Oh, 
what in God's name does it all mean ? 
. . . I am at sea . . . nothing 



88 in. 

certain . . . mere suspicion. A word, 
a cry. I have been by his bed night 
and day, trying my best to under- 
stand. There is no connection. . . . 
Nothing . . . only the one horrible 
thing . . . Is there something ? What 
can I do ? . . . or say ? . . . A man 
in delirium ! . . . They knew he loved 
her. They say in fever the memory brings 
back forgotten things. . . . But he 
speaks as though it were yesterday ! 
( Walks up and down.) Here it is, within 
minutes of the end, and I stand like an 
infernal fool. {Detective enters.) 

Detective 

Ah, I beg pardon, is Mr. Madden ? 

Madden 

That is my name. You wish to see 

me ? 



III. 89 

Detective 

If this is Mr. Madden (takes out a 
letter) this letter will explain. I followed 
you here from Mr. Mardyke's. 

Madden 
Tearing it open 

At last ! You are the detective then ? 



Detective 



Yes, sir. 



Madden 
And the woman ? 

Detective 

The French maid employed by the 
Countess Refstein, Marie Girot, — shall I 
talk to you here, sir ? {Looks about.) 

Madden 
Yes. Tell me quickly. What have 
you found ? 



90 in. 

Detective 

Takes out note-book, glances at pages 

I was directed last Wednesday to go to 
New London to make inquiries as to the 
history of this Marie Girot, who, it seems, 
left the service of the Countess Refstein 
some days before the latter was 

Madden 

Yes, I know. You went to New Lon- 
don ? 



At once. 



Well ? 



Detective 



Madden 



Detective 



I made every possible inquiry. I found 
that the woman in question came to Amer- 



III. 91 

ica some three months before taking ser- 
vice with the Countess. She came with 
a relative, an aunt, who died soon after 
their arrival. She served with various 
families 

Madden 

Never mind that part of her history. 
After she came to the Countess ? 

Detective. 

That was in August. She was engaged 
on the 9th, and was there until the 29th, 
— just twenty days. 

Madden 

Yes? 

Detective 

At the end of that time she suddenly 
left the house and did not return. 



92 III. 

Madden 

And the cause ? Was there no reason 
for it ? 

Detective 

She had received notice to leave on the 
i st from the Countess. 

Madden 

She had received notice ! You are 
sure ? 

Detective 

There is no doubt of it. 

Madden 

Well ? — where did she go ? 

Detective 

I am sorry to say I cannot answer you. 
The woman has never been heard of 
since. 



III. 93 

Madden 

Aside 

Great God ! 

Detective. 

I have some further information, but it 
merely agrees with this. There happens 
to have been a man — a lover. I have re- 
ceived his account. 

Madden 
Well? 

Detective 

It seems that on the night in question 
he had agreed to meet the woman on a 
dock near the house. 

Madden 

The river ! An abandoned landing ? 
Half fallen to pieces ? Close to a rocky 
jetty. 



94 in. 

Detective 

Exactly. It had been a usual meeting- 
place, it appears. This night the man — 
he is a butler — went to this place and 
waited until twelve, but the woman did 
not put in an appearance. He then went 

away. 

Madden 

And he heard nothing — since then ? 
He made no inquiries? 

Detective 

The man left with the family in whose 
employ he was next morning. He was 
away two months. He wrote several 
times, but, thinking she had done it pur- 
posely, gave it up after a while. When he 
came back to New York he inquired of 
the servants in the town house there and 
found out that the woman had left. He 



III. 95 

went at once to some lodging where she 
was supposed to be going on the first of 
the preceding September, and where he 
himself had sent her things. She had 
not gone there. Then he became alarmed 
and instituted a search, but, as nothing 
was found, he gave it up finally. 

Madden 
After a pause 

Did any one see her leave the house on 
that night ? Do you know what kind of 
a dress she wore ? 

Detective 

No. She must have left about ten by 
all accounts. But no one saw her go. 

{Laughter outside?) 

Madden 

What can I do ? If it is true, God help 
Geraldine ! There is but one thing left 



g6 III. 

. . . I must do it — yes, it must be done ! 
{Enter two Ushers.) 

First Usher 
They shake hands 

Never ahead of you, are we ? 

Madden 
To Detective 

Come around to my house to-morrow 
at ten. That 's all now. {Exit Detective?) 
I say, boys, excuse me to somebody. 
Will you ? I 've got to rush off- — may be 
detained — important business — hope to 
come back in time if possible — say impor- 
tant. {Waves his hand. Exit.) 

Second Usher 

What on earth can be up ! It must 
be Mardyke. {Enter the other ushers. 
They stand talking. Soon the people be- 



in. 97 

gin to arrive. The church slowly fills. 
Enter Romverton.) 

ROMVERTON 

To an Usher 

Hello! {Shakes hands?) Where's Mad- 
den ? {Enter Mrs. Romverton. Usher 
speaking aside to Romverton.) 

Mrs. Romverton 

Ah, there you are ! {Enter Mrs. Schrei- 
ner.) I waited for you at the corner, but, 
as you had n't put in an appearance, I 
hurried Romverton off. He's always late, 
you know. 

Usher 
Ending talk with Romverton 

I 'm afraid it 's Mardyke. 

Romverton 

No one has had any word. 



98 in. 

Mrs. Romverton 
To Usher 

Hello, what are you two conspiring 
about ? {Shakes hands?) 

Romverton 

Nothing-, my dear. {Aside) I 'm afraid 
Madden has had bad news from Mardyke. 
He has just rushed away. 

Mrs. Romverton 

About Richard! {Catching Ushers 
arm.) What is it, Will ? {They go on one 
side and talk?) 

[The procession begins. The organ plays. 
The minister takes his position. The 
service is about to begin when Richard 
Mardyke staggers to the door and enters. 
He takes a few steps forward. He is 
half dressed.^ 



in. 99 

Richard Mardyke 

Stop! {Confusion. Service stops, every- 
body turns?) 

Geraldine 

Richard ! {He staggers slowly forward 
and leans against a column?) 

Richard Mardyke 

Geraldine ! (Madden comes to the door?) 

Madden 

He has heard all and left the house. I 
must have been right. {He enters the 
church?) 

Richard Mardyke 

Geraldine ! . . . Martha . . . Martha. 
. . . is alive ! Oh, Madden. . . . 
I . . . {Staggers and falls into Mad- 
den's arms?) 

[Curtain.] 



IV. 



101 



IV. 



Scene same as at first. Night. Moon- 
light. Interior dark. Sentinel passes 
at intervals. Pause. Martha appears 
at head of the stairs with candle. 
Comes slowly down and ptits it on small 
table. Stands by door listening. 

Martha 

Is she asleep ? . . . I thought I 
heard her call. {Opens doors gently and 
listens. After a while closes it and comes 
out into the room?) ... I am always 
hearing her voice ! . . . It haunts 
me. {Throws herself down on lounge?) 
. . . Pepe not here yet ! {Looks at 
clock?) Two o'clock ! . . . He ought 
to have come an hour ago ! . . . 
103 



104 IV - 

( The sentinel passes. She sits up> listens ; 
goes to the window.} Three hours to 
dawn. . . . Oh, this suspense is mad- 
dening. . . . To be shut up here 
with this thing. . . . Poor Nita ! . . . 
Hour after hour, day after day, and not a 
word of complaint. . . . Only a moan 
now and then ! . . . Moonlight ! It 
was moonlight the night after the storm 
when I came ! . . . How strong they 
are, these poor wretches ! . . . How 
they fight ! . . . Fight to the end. 
. . . That fog at the end of the val- 
ley looks like a piece of the sea. I can 
see waves and masses of floating ice. . . . 
Not a line from him yet ! . . . Only 
the word from Havre that he had started. 

. . . Could anything ? . . . 

The same questions over and over again ! 

Oh, God, I shall go mad ! 

Pepe should have come. . . . Sup- 



iv. 105 

pose he could not pass ! {The guard 
passes, she starts to one side and draws the 
curtain about her until he has passed?) 
. . . And they set a guard on us ! 
. . . So that we may not escape ! 
. . . Escape ! {Looks after him.) There 
he goes with his yellow and black uni- 
form. . . . How the buckles catch the 
moonlight ! . Cowards ! 

Cholera ! . . . How the very word 
sends a panic through these people. . . . 
Does he know? ... It must have 
been in the papers ! . . . And sup- 
pose he should hear and come back ! . . . 
Come back ! . . . No ! No ! . . . 
Not now ! . . . Not now ! . . . 
Ah, if I could but see him for a moment ! 
To know nothing ! . . . Nothing ! 
. . . The village is full of lights ! . . . 
At two in the morning ! . . . The 
scourge is hard at work there ! . . . 



106 iv. 

Not a house without a light ! {Puts her 
face close to the pane.) How cold it all 
looks down there by the bridge ! . . . 
The cordon begins there. ... I could 
fancy I saw the flash of arms from here. 
. . . Fifty paces apart, Pepe says. 
. . . How does he pass them ? . . . 
Oh, I am so tired. (After a moment 
goes slowly across the stage towards the 
sofa, stopping to listen and shake her head 
at the door ( L.) Sinks down on sofa. 
Sleeps. ) 

outside : 

(Enter Officer followed by soldier carrying 
lantern. Officer holds a paper. Comes 
forward?) 

Officer 

Here, hold up that light. (Reads.) Put 
sentries at numbers 4, 7, and 12, and stop 



iv. 107 

all passing on main highway. Send reliefs 
to No. 1 6. (Aside,) Did that an hour 
ago. (Reads.) Extend cordon along the 
stream to first houses on main road. 
Report. (Folds it up.) Good ! (Enter 
Guardia Civil. Salutes.) Ah ! You 
come from the bridge ? 

Guardia Civil 
Yes, sir. 

Officer 
How many have tried to pass ? 

Guardia Civil 
Fourteen, sir. 

Officer 
Since when ? 

Guardia Civil 

Since eleven o'clock, sir. (Sentry salutes 
and goes on.) 



108 iv. 

Officer 
My orders obeyed ? 

Guardia Civil 
To fire at second challenge ? Yes, sir. 

Officer 
Any hurt ? 

Guardia Civil 
Two, sir. 

Officer 
Women ? 

Guardia Civil 

No, sir. {Hesitates^) ... A man 
and a boy. 

Officer 

Glances at him 

They tried to run through ? 



iv. 109 

Guardia Civil 

Yes, sir. By the underbrush in the 
river bed. 

Officer 

Let the bodies lie. ... A good ex- 
ample ! 

Guardia Civil 
Starts 
Yes, sir. 

Officer 

Tell Capt. Jose to send me a report 
every four hours. Here, that light. 
{Takes out paper and pencil. Writes.} 
Am ordered to close main road above 
village. To ensure, close mountain road 
on your side at once, and hold till I send 
you word. I will picket this end. Let 
no one pass. There ! {Folding it up and 
handing to Guardia Civil.) Take that 



110 IV. 

to Captain Jose. Have you anything 
else? 

Guardia Civil 

Yes, sir. The doctor's report. 

Officer 
Give it to me. {Looking it over.) Hum ! 
Five over yesterday. Hell 's loose down 
there ! Ah, what 's this ? . . . A line 
from the doctor ! {Goes to the light and 
reads?) Wants a pass and a guide for his 
assistant, an American, from the bridge to 
the town. . . . An American ! ... By 
this road, I suppose. Here (to soldier) , 
hold it higher. (Writes.) Well, there 's 
his pass. He can get the guide from 
Jose. What the devil do these foreigners 
want at such a time as this. (To soldier.) 
Is that all ? 



Guardia Civil 



Yes, sir. 



IV. Ill 

Officer 

You may go. {Gtiardia Civil salutes, 
turns, hesitates?) 

Guardia Civil 
The . . . bodies ... to stay, sir? 

Officer 

I said so. {Looks around?) Stop ! 
Are their names known ? 

Guardia Civil 
Jose and Pablo Gomez. 

Officer 

Gomez ? Gomez ? {Looks up.) What 's 
your name ? 

Guardia Civil 
Ricardo Gomez, sir. 

Officer 
Ah ! The same ? 



112 IV. 

Guardia Civil 
Choking 
My brothers, sir. 

Officer 
Huskily, after a pause 
Let the bodies be taken up. 

Guardia Civil 
Yes, sir. . . . Thank you, sir. 

Officer 

You may go. {Guardia Civil salules 
and exit. Officer sta7tds a moment?) Poor 
devil ! (Exit, followed by man with lan- 
tern?) 

inside : 

Martha 
Oh, Richard! . . . Richard! {Wakes, 
sits up y and looks about her.) Oh, I 
thought he was here ... I thought I 



iv. ii 3 

heard him talking to some one. . . . 
Has he told them ? . . . And Geraldine ? 
. . . Poor Geraldine ! . . . {Rises sud- 
denly, listens, goes near the door ( L.) and 
listens again?) Nita must be sleeping 
still. . . . How still it is. ... I cannot 
hear her breathing. . . . Strange, I could 
hear her before. ... If she can get a 
few hours' rest, perhaps . . . {Pushes the 
door gently open and looks in. Listens. 
Hesitates. Takes candle and goes slowly 
into the room. There is a long pause. A 
sharp cry. The name " Nita " is repeated. 
Quiet again. Martha reappears foir- 
riedly. Closes door behind her. Walks 
slowly and unsteadily across the staged) 
Dead ! ... It has killed her ! (Sits 
down on end of sofa and buries her head in 
her hands?) Oh, I am alone ! . 
( The gtcard crosses stage and, as he dis- 
appears, Pepe also crosses and hides in 



U4 iv. 

shrubbery below window. He taps on pane. 
She does not hear at first. Then, rising.) 
What was that ? {Listens. Pepe taps 
again.) Pepe ! Yes — {Runs to the win- 
dow and opens it.) Pepe ! 

Pepe 
Yes, Senora. The letter, Senora. Quick. 
The guard. I '11 wait here. If the Senora 
should wish to write. . . . (She breaks 
open the letter qitickly and he sinks down 
into the shadow of the window?) 

Martha 
A telegram ! From him ! {Reads.) 
All is known. I leave at once. Have 
been ill. Richard. {Repeating?) All is 
known ! ... He leaves at once. . . . 
111! . . . {Turning it over suddenly?) . . . 
When was it sent ! ( Turning it over?) 
No date! {Goes to window and raises it 
recklessly. The Guard appears?) 



iv. ii5 

Guard 
Halting 

Who goes there ? 

Martha 
Shrinking back into the shadow of the curtain 

What have I done ! He will be dis- 
covered ! 

Guard 

Approaching 

Who goes there ? 

Martha 
Suddenly appearing 

What do you want ? 

Guard 

Shut that window. {She closes it and 
waits. Guard walks slowly on and dis- 
appears. She waits some time.) 



n6 iv. 

Martha 

In a whisper 

When was it sent? Has he started? 
{Cautiously raising window.) Pepe ! 

Pepe 

Yes, Senora. 

Martha 

When did you get this ? 

Pepe 

In the afternoon, Senora. 

Martha 

Where from ? It has no date. Is there 
delay ? 

Pepe 

My brother brought it. I think it was 
delayed. There has been no mail brought 



iv. ii7 

in for two weeks, Sefiora. It might be 
that long since it came. 

Martha 

Two weeks ! It might be two weeks ! 
this morning — or only yesterday ! Com- 
ing ! And coming here ! . . . Now! 
{Leans against window frame. Suddenly 
to Pepe.) Here, Pepe. . . . Go. Go 
quickly. . . . And God bless you ! 
{Closes window as he disappears. She 
stands listening as his footsteps die away.) 
They know all. . . . He has told them. 
There has been a desperate scene, and 
he, what has he done ? . . . and 
Geraldine ? can she love this man ? . . . 
No, no. A mere child ! She does n't 
know. Poor child ! Has he 

started ? Oh, when was that sent. 
{Takes telegram to light and examines 
closely?) There is a mark here. . . 



n8 iv. 

{Very attentively?) But it is so . . . 
faint. . . . {Holds it tip?) 1 wonder 
. . . {Becomes very intent?) . . . {Sud- 
denly a shot is heard, followed by two 
others in quick succession?) {She starts ; 
drops paper?) Firing! What does that 
mean ? . . . Pepe. . . . He could not 
get by ! . . . {Another shot?) Oh, God ! 
They have killed him. {Runs to the door 
and stands listening?) 

Richard Mardyke 

He suddenly runs rapidly across the stage to the 
door and strikes it 

Nita ! Martha ! Open. Open the door ! 
{Strikes?) 

Martha 

Staggering back from the door 

Richard ! . . . {Recovering?) Oh, 
Richard ! Richard ! ... He has come ! 



iv. ii9 

He has come ! — {Begins unbarring the 
door?) 

Richard Mardyke 

Thank God ; I am in time ! Open ! 
. . . Open quickly ! 

Martha 

Stopping, terrified 

But no. . . . No. . . . He cannot. 
. . . He must not. . . . Richard ! Rich- 
ard ! . . . I cannot open. I cannot ! 

Richard Mardyke 

Open! Open! Nita! Martha! 

Martha 

Richard ! — For God's sake — Hear me ! 
Listen ! — You must not come here — there 
is death — the place is infected — cholera — 
cholera — do you hear — cholera 



120 IV. 

Richard Mardyke 
Open, I say ! They are following me ! 
Open the door — {Strikes it.) Nita ! 

Martha 

Nita is dead ! Dead — do you hear ? 

Richard Mardyke 

I have fired at the guard. They are fol- 
lowing me. I shall be killed. ( Voices of 
the approaching guards^) 

Martha 
He has fired ! . . . The shots ! It was 
he ! {She begins unbarring the door. Voices 
draw near. Guards appear as he enters the 
house. He slams the door and bolts it.) 

outside : 

First Guard 
As they rush on the stage 
In there ! {Pointing^) I saw him go in 
there. 



IV. 121 

Second Guard 
Then we may as well stop — and a belly- 
ful of cholera to him. 

Officer 



Did he go in there ? 

First Guard 
Yes, sir. 

Officer 

Very well, you four take positions at the 
sides of the house. Fire at anything that 
shows itself. Let nothing leave it alive. 
( They separate. Turning to Guard just 
arrived^) Is Mariano hurt ? 

Guard 
Yes, sir. — In the arm. 

Officer 
Very good. Follow me. (Guard salutes. 
Exeunt^) 



122 IV. 

INSIDE : 

Richard Mardyke 

Standing by door and listening. To Martha 

The light! (She puts it out?) ... I 
can hear them. (He goes quietly to the win- 
dows and closes them. As he finishes -, the 
Officer and Guard go off?) There is no sign. 
{Goes to window ( L.) and looks cautiously 
out?) No one there. (Goes to back. Shuts 
window and stands a moment?) 
Martha ! (Comes forward towards her.) 
Dearest ! (Seizes her suddenly in his 
arms?) At last ! . . . 

Martha 

Struggles. After a moment 

No ! No ! Let me go. . . . Don't 
touch me. . . . Oh, Richard, you are 
risking your life. . . . (Frees herself 
She sinks down on a chair?) . . . The 



IV. 123 

firing ? — What was it ? . . . You are 
not hurt ? . . . Tell me. 
Richard Mardyke 

No. ... I am weak. ... I 

have been ill. . . . You got my 

line ? 

Martha 

Just a moment ago ! Pepe brought it. 
He must have passed you on the way. 
. . . Oh, you are ill, Richard ! . . . 

Speak to me — Tell me 

Richard Mardyke 
They know everything. 
Martha 
What did you do ? 

Richard Mardyke 
I sent you a letter from Havre. 

Martha 
Yes. 



124 IV. 

Richard Mardyke 
After my mother left so with Geral- 
dine for New York, Madden and I went 
on together. Refstein had agreed to fol- 
low and meet us on the steamer. Some- 
thing detained him in Paris and he lost 
it. ... I ... I ... am 
weak. ... I ran . . . from the 
bridge. {He rises and staggers. She runs 
forward and catches him?) 

Martha 
Oh, Richard — You are hurt ! . . . 
There ! Lie down. . . . (He half 
lies on the sofa?) 

Richard Mardyke 
Get me some brandy from the closet. 
I have been ill . . . very weak. 
. . . {She gets it.) There. . . . 
There. . . . Are they there still ? 
{She cautiously opens the window shutter?) 



IV. 125 

Martha 

I see no one. 

Richard Mardyke 
Rises and sits on edge of sofa 

Martha ! . . . Come here. . . . 
By me. . . . (He rises, staggers, re- 
covers, and seizes her^) You are mine ! 
. . . Mine now ! 

Martha 

You are weak ! Sit down. ... I 
will stay here — by you. Tell me, what 
have you done ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Where was I — yes — he missed the 
steamer. ... It made no difference. 
I did not intend telling him. ... I 
wanted to see my mother and father and 
Geraldine together. . . . Just before 



126 IV. 

we arrived I was taken ill. ... A 
fever ! . . . I only remember insisting 
on going to Newport that night. Mad- 
den fought, but we went. ... I don't 
remember any more. They took me to 
his house. He was so good! Nursed 
me for nearly a month. 



Martha 
And Geraldine ? — The marriage ?- 
Richard Mardyke 



I knew nothing. The preparations had 
gone on. . . . I . . . my head 
throbs so ! {Drinks?) ... I must 
. . . have run very hard. . . . Don't 
touch the light. . . . They may be 
there ! {Points?) 

Martha 

Go on — tell me 



iv. 127 

Richard Mardyke 
I came to myself just before the mar- 
riage. ... I asked them. . . . They 
lied about it. . . . They could not 
know I had come for that. . . . They 
told me the date had been changed. . . . 
Anything. . . . Anything to keep me 
quiet. . . . Fortunately Madden. . . . 
He had been with me all the time. 
. . . He had heard me rave about 
you. ... I was delirious for days. 
. . . About the whole thing. . . . 
He suspected. He sent a detective. 
. . . About the girl . . . the French 
girl . . . your maid 

Martha 
Marie ? 

Richard Mardyke 
Yes. . . . Found she had disap- 
peared. . . . He came to me . . . 



128 IV. 



just before the marriage. . 


. . I had 


only time . . . to . . 


. to stop 


him 




Martha 




To stop him ! 





Richard Mardyke 

Yes. . . . The fools ! . . . To 
let me lie there ! . . . Madden saw 
. . . he suspected what I had come 
for. At the last moment he came and 
told me, and asked me to tell him the 
truth. ... I was mad. ... I 
rushed to the place. . . . The mar- 
riage was almost over. . . . Think ! 
. . . Almost over ! 

Martha 
It was over. She ? 



iv. 129 

Richard Mardyke. 
They ... I stopped them. . . . 
I must have fainted at something. . . . 
Madden told them. . . . They took 
me away 

Martha 

And Geraldine ? 

Richard Mardyke 

I don't know any more. The fever 
came back. . . . Madden was with 
me day and night. ... At last I 
was able to leave my room. ... I 
saw no one. I came on the first steamer. 
Madden said he would manage it all the 
best he could. . . . What was that ? 
{The sentinel passes?) 

Martha 
Listening 
That is the guard they have put on the 
house. 



130 iv. 

Richard Mardyke 

A guard. . . . What do you 

mean ? 

Martha 

Yes, to keep us from escaping. We 
must not go out. Oh, Richard, Nita is 
dead ... in there. (Points?) 

Richard Mardyke 
Looking about him 

A guard ! But we must get away ! 

. . . You must leave here ... at 

once 

Martha 

Leave here ! We cannot leave, Rich- 
ard. Where should we go ? You are 

ill 

Richard Mardyke 

No, no. To Huesca. ... By way 
of Barbastro and the railroad. I know 



iv. 131 

every part. . . . There is no use try- 
ing to get to France. . . . We mast 
have animals. . . . Pepe ! . . . Yes, 
he can get them. 

Martha 

Oh, Richard, how could you pass the 
lines ? It is all he can do to come here 
himself. It is impossible ! 

Richard Mardyke 

But we must go ! We must, there is 
death here. . . . The whole country 
is full of it. . . . We can walk to 
Pons. . . . There is no danger. 
They could not watch the whole line 
there — on the frontier it is different — but 
here — I — {Suddenly staggers onto the sofa.) 
Oh, Martha ! (She rtcshes to him and 
holds the brandy. He drinks^) 



132 IV. 

Martha 
Richard ! . . . You are hurt ! . . . 
Your hand trembles ! (Goes to the 
lamp and turns it up.) . . . Oh ! 
{Starts back again in horror. Comes and 
kneels by him.) Oh, you have been play- 
ing with your life ! . Look ! 
There is blood ! ( Tears open his coat.) 
Oh, dear, why did you ? . . . (He 
sinks back unresistingly?) You were 
wounded coming here. ( Works rapidly?) 

Richard Mardyke 
Nothing. ... A mere scratch. 
. . I 



Martha 
Take the brandy . . . quick ! 
(Holds it to his lips?) 

Richard Mardyke 
Martha ! 



IV. 




Martha 




133 


Yes, 


dear. 










Richard Mardyke 






Martha . 


. . tell me you 


love 


me, 


dear , 


. 


tell me . . 
Martha 







Oh, yes — yes. Drink — drink — oh, what 
can I do ? — What can I do ? 

Richard Mardyke 

Takes her hand 

We . . . must . . . leave 
here . . . (gasfts) at once. {Falls 
back. His hand relaxes y dies!) 

Martha 

She looks at him terrified 

Richard ! Richard ! {Seizing his hand) 



134 iv. 

Richard, hear me ! — Speak to me ! {Sud- 
denly falls down beside him and buries her 
face in the pillow, sobbing?) 

outside : 

First Voice 
Who goes there ? 

Second Voice 
Friend. 

First Voice 

Halt. {A pause. A sound of guard 
examining doctor 's pass.) 

First Voice 

Of guard 

Very good. Pass on. {Two figures 
appear. Doctor — and soldier as guide.} 



iv. I35 

Doctor 
To soldier 

Is this the house where you said there 
were Americans living ? 

Soldier 
Yes, sir. 

Doctor 
Very well, I '11 go in. 
inside : 

Martha 

Suddenly rising and seizing Richard Mar- 
dyke's hand 

Oh, he is not dead ! — He is not dead !— 
This place ! — Air — air — {Rushes to a win- 
dow, back, and throws it open. As she 
raises the sash there are two sharp reports 



i3 6 iv. 

and the glass falls in fragments. Martha 
staggers slowly backwards across the staged) 
They thought it was — {Reaches the sofa 
and falls across the body of Richard Mar- 
dyke. Dies?) 

outside : 

Doctor 

That was a woman's voice ! 

[Curtain.] 



